The Paralytic Man is Us
theophilus February 22nd, 2009
Today’s gospel about the paralytic man being lowered through the roof has a very simple message – “Child, your sins are forgiven” says our Christ (Mark 2). That is the message for us as we head into Lent. Our sins are forgiven.
I used to not have much use for confession. Now, it’s indispensable for my well-being. It’s gotten so that now I really can’t stand the fact that it’s so hard to receive this sacrament in most suburban parishes, as they tend to reserve this reconciliation necessity to a tidy 30 minutes on Saturday afternoon before 4:30 or 5:00 Mass, when most family men are attending to their, ah, families.
In any case, for this Lent, find a confession period in your town that fits into your schedule. Drive 30 minutes if you have too. Don’t worry if the confession seems like a drive-by (and I’ve been to my share of these) and don’t worry if you think your sins are too great or too insignificant. The goal is to get yourself right with God; to accept his grace and redemptive power; to turn your life so it corresponds with what God expects of you; to get yourself walking with Christ.
And if you are unsure as to what to say, pray to the Holy Spirit to speak for you as you share your faith and your faults with the priest in the confessional. He is there in the presence of Christ; he is there for you.
Also, remember the words of Isaiah from this morning’s first reading (Isaiah 43) – “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” Christ forgives us and in the process forgets our past. He is doing something new in each of us.
Lent starts this Wednesday. Are you ready? Confession is a good place to start.
